NHL free agency signings have slowed down after the whirlwind on July 1, but there are still some big names who have yet to sign.
NHL free agency kicked off with a bang on July 1, and the deals have been trickling in since then. The remaining free agents will sign throughout the summer.
Some of the key names remaining on the free agent market are Jonathan Toews, Matt Dumba, and Vladimir Tarasenko. All three players just finished long-term contracts with their respective teams. Dumba and Tarasenko are in places in their careers where they are worth a big contract, although the salary cap is likely getting in the way. Toews, on the other hand, may or may not retire.
Here are the latest updates on Toews, Dumba, and Tarasenko.
NHL Rumors: Jonathan Toews update points toward retirement
35-year-old Jonathan Toews has spent his entire NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks after being drafted third overall in 2006. The long-time Blackhawks captain became a free agent this summer after Chicago announced this spring that he would not be re-signed. His career could now be coming to an end.
Once an elite two-way center, the past several years have been challenging for Toews health-wise. He struggles with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and symptoms from long COVID. These health concerns have led to missed time during the past few seasons, as well as a decline in his play.
After the Blackhawks announced they would not re-sign Toews, it seemed possible, although unlikely, he might choose to seek a new team. While no retirement announcement has come out yet, an interesting development has surfaced. As reported by Mark Spector of Sportsnet, Toews' agency, CAA, did not list him as one of their available free agents. Since he is not on this list, it seems more likely that Toews is planning to say goodbye to his playing career.
Toews means a lot to the NHL community, but it sounds like it might be time for him to hang it up. The three-time Stanley Cup Champion is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a World Champion. Toews will be in the Hall of Fame one day. An official retirement announcement might be coming soon.
NHL Rumors: Matt Dumba is still available despite plenty of interest
Since free agency opened, there has been plenty of interest in defenseman Matt Dumba, but he has yet to land a new home. The 28-year-old has spent his whole career with the Minnesota Wild up to this point. Unfortunately, the Wild were unable to re-sign him due to their salary cap crunch.
Unquestionably, Dumba is the best defenseman still on the market. Known as a very physical player, Dumba would bring heavy hitting to an organization's blue line. Last season wasn't his best, but he's still a big defensive contributor.
Dumba has been linked to several teams during free agency, including the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Arizona Coyotes. Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs weren't able to work out a salary with Dumba. He noted that the Sharks would need a defenseman if Erik Karlsson is traded. The Coyotes have pursued Dumba, believing his experience would benefit their roster.
It's particularly surprising that Dumba is still on the market considering he was one of the top defensemen available this offseason. The other most notable defensemen have found their next contracts already. Dumba certainly has interest, but he could be holding out for a contender to make him a solid deal. It shouldn't be too much longer before he lands his next contract, but the salary cap issues might mean he'll get less than he's hoping for.
NHL Rumors: Vladimir Tarasenko is back to square one with new agents
Vladimir Tarasenko has made some noise during free agency. He won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and most recently played for the New York Rangers. After fielding interest from several teams, it seemed like the 31-year-old was headed to the Carolina Hurricanes. Then, news dropped that Tarasenko fired his agent. Now represented by CAA, the winger is back to the start with new representation stepping in and getting up to speed with interested teams.
The limited cap space likely has something to do with Tarasenko's lack of a new contract. He's worth more than most teams are able to give him right now. It's possible Tarasenko's new agents, JP Barry and Pat Brisson, work out a one-year deal that allows him to circle back around next year for a longer, more fruitful deal when the salary cap goes up.
Which teams are possible landing spots for Tarasenko? The Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, and San Jose Sharks could all be in the running. The Carolina Hurricanes could also still be a landing spot for him despite things falling apart when he switched representation. Many wonder if there's a chance Tarasenko will be back in New York next season. Although unlikely due to the Rangers' cap space, it's still possible. If they can clear some space, Tarasenko might want to stick around.
As one of the top names still on the market, Tarasenko could be holding out while his suitors move some pieces around. His next deal might not be the most lucrative, but expect him to wait it out for the best offer possible.
As free agency continues, these notable free agents' next moves will soon become clearer.
